December 30, 2008

Reviews

Here is a listing of my reviews. I try a lot of stuff and companies send me beaucoups of freebies to try (thanks y’all!), but I only post reviews of stuff I use and like. That should help keep the clutter down and keep you focused on the best stuff out there. I hope these reviews are of benefit to you in your lifelong adventure of photographic fortune and glory.

Photography Portfolio:

Software:

Cameras I recommend:

  • Good
    • The Nikon D90 – Approx $700-$900
    • The Nikon D90 with Excellent Starter Lens - 18-105mm – Approx $1,100
    • Mini Review – I recommend this wonderful camera because it does auto-bracketing, can hold a variety of lenses, and is an amazing camera now and for the future.  You’ll be able to have this be your main body as you slowly build up a collection of lenses in the future, as you get to better know your camera.  It’s solid, shoots 12 megapixels, which is plenty big, and it even does video too!  My first camera was a D70, which no longer exists.  If I had the d90 first, I would have been in hog heaven!
  • Better
    • The Nikon D700 - Approx $2,400-$2,600
    • Mini Review – Now we are getting more serious! This is definitely a professional-grade camera. It’s big and tough and ready for battle. It’s got an amazing sensor — it’s still 12 megapixels like the d90, but it’s much higher quality in terms of speed and clarity. I know many photographers that have this camera and swear by it. If you already have one of the other Nikons and are looking to upgrade, you’ll be very happy with this thing. If you don’t want to spend over $5,000, then I think the D700 is certainly the best bang for your buck.
  • Best
    • The Nikon D3x - Approx $7,500 and up
    • Mini Review -See my Nikon D3X review for the full review!  It is my 24-megapixel love and it is the ultimate. I use it. It completes me. However, being realistic, I can tell you that it is only 10-20% (depending on the features you dig) better than the D700. That extra 10-20% will cost you a pretty penny, so my advice is to only do it if you have the extra cash, or this is a love where you have little willpower.
  • Best Backup Camera
    • The Nikon D3S - Approx $5,200 and up
    • Mini Review -See my Nikon D3S review for the full review! Once you get ultra serious, you don’t want to go on a big trip and only have one camera. Anything could happen. I hate to relegate the D3S to a backup camera, but that should not take anything away from this beautiful machine. The D3S is better than the D3X in low light and in high-speed situations. Another very nice thing is that it does high-def video.

First Three Lenses

If you are just getting started and want recommendations on your first three lenses, here they are.  Note that, often times, your camera may come with a “kit lens”.  That lens is usually pretty versatile and can get you a long way.  But, the beauty of DSLRs is that there are many lenses that are better for more specialized situations.

1) Nikon 14-24 Review (Lens) – A great wide-angle lens for landscapes and architecture that I use for about 60% of my landscapes

2) Nikon 24-70 Review (Lens) – Perfect for mid-range stuff like landscapes, birthdays, families, close-up sports, events, holiday cheer, swinger parties

3) Nikon 50mm Review (Lens) – Ideal for cute children, close-up objects where you like a blurry background, friends, interventions

All Lens Reviews

I only write reviews for lenses that I used and I recommend.   Below is the full list.

  • Want to try out a lens?  See my Lens Rental review of BorrowLenses.com – Netflix for lenses!
  • Nikon 18-200 – A great all-around lens for wide-angle and zoom.  Just getting started?  This is what you need! (Review coming soon)
  • Nikon 24-70 Review (Lens) – Perfect for mid-range stuff like landscapes, birthdays, families, close-up sports, events, holiday cheer, swinger parties
  • Nikon 14-24 Review (Lens) – A great wide-angle lens for landscapes and architecture that I use for about 60% of my landscapes
  • Nikon 85mm Review (Lens) – Incredible for people shots. Just. Incredible.
  • Nikon 50mm Review (Lens) – Ideal for cute children, close-up objects where you like a blurry background, friends, interventions
  • Nikon 70-200 Review (Lens) – A great lens for things that are kinda far away, like animals or sports or that girl you are stalking

My Equipment

Tutorials:

Other Stuff

Any questions about the nature of these reviews? Visit my Ethics Statement. It’s all quite simple!

14 Comments Shared Thus Far for “ Reviews ”

  • p.m.w

    1

    i like this

  • Michael Colynuck

    2

    I’m just curious if we can suggest subjects for tutorials (perhaps even for more detail in some step of an existing one) or offer videos (links?) of our own experiences/tricks with your currently reviewed software applications? It could get overwhelming though I imagine…

    Looking very forward to your future informational offerings!

  • Stuck In Customs

    3

    Thanks!

    I do take suggestions… I can’t follow many of them up… as I use stuff, I generally put up a review if I think it is good! :)

  • kushal

    4

    Thanks for this great. Had a fun-filled and extremely informative journey in you tutorial! Thanks a lot!

  • Frank

    5

    Unbelievable stuff. I am just getting into HDR right now and have been using Dynamic-Photo HDR. Have you ever used this software and what are you opinions, if any, on the product? Thanks

  • Steven Carvotta

    6

    Great Reading, thanks.

  • One Week Challenge Wrapup

    7

    [...] Stuck in Customs camera reviews - a great example of affiliate marketing done well in the photography industry that fits well with the personal blog and brand of Trey Ratcliff of Stuck in Customs photo blog. [...]

  • Nikon D3S Review is up – with sample video

    8

    [...] Reviews [...]

  • Darrell Wood

    9

    Will you be moving to Nikon 16-35 and selling your 14-24. If you are and also keeping your 14-24 may I ask what you would use your 14-24 for.

  • Thomas

    10

    I was trying to find some information on what size and make of SD(HD) memory cards you use and/or recommend? or some that you ‘recommend’ to avoid?
    I love your site, your reviews and your work.

    Well Done!

  • Trevor Driscoll

    11

    There is a typo at the bottom there :)
    “Games for iPhome”

  • Stuck In Customs

    12

    Thanks!

    Trevor – I fixed that up.

    Thomas – I am working on a Hoodman review right now – search here on the page for that when it is avail!

  • Dave Burnet

    13

    Hi Trey

    I ran across software called HDR Expose this weekend and am playing around with it. What are your thoughts?

    thanks,
    Dave

  • The Solstice

    14

    [...] I wanted to list some of it here for you: Videos – Many hours of videos, tips, and tricks. Reviews – A growing collection of my experiences with cameras,lenses, and software. HDR Tutorial [...]

I look forward to hearing your thoughts